WND EXCLUSIVE

Militarization of police continues surge

Weapons industry spent $134 million lobbying – just last year

The militarization of local police and law-enforcement agencies across America has been thrust into public focus because of the rioting in Ferguson, Missouri, after the shooting of an unarmed black teen by a police officer.

But an author who observes a growing police-state atmosphere in the U.S. contends those who think the attention will prompt changes should think again.

Oakland was the site of citizen and police turmoil during the Occupy protests, while the Missouri site is about 150 miles west of Ferguson.

Chumley suggested the timing and placement of the trade shows indicates that the companies are out of touch.

She noted a newly released University of California at Berkeley study analyzing 192 protests held in 2011. The researchers found that when officers use aggressive tactics, protesters reacted aggressively. Even the uniforms officers used could be a cause for violence, the study suggests.

Chumley believes citizens should set the rules for engagement.

“Americans sick and tired of seeing police dressed like soldiers and behaving as if they’re members of the military, rather than civil servants tasked with protecting innocent civilians. Fed-up Americans can still petition their local governments to pass an ordinance that limits when police can use this equipment and gear – and when they can’t,” she said.

Her book, examining issues from traffic light cameras to phone tapping, asks whether or not the government really wants unfettered control over the American people.